BACKGROUND
An emerging new trail, shared to us by fellow mountaineers, is the longer, more rewarding route up Mt. Hibok-Hibok which passes by its crater. If Hibok-Hibok is to be called H2 following G2 and D2, then this trail deserves to be called H2O – with the O signifiying the shape of the crater and its inclusion in the trail, as well as the presence of water in the trek – a reminder to bring extra clothes if one wishes to take a dip in the cold waters of the crater lake.

This trail arises from Brgy. Yumbing, more famous among Camiguin tourists for its volcanic sand beaches. Unlike the more popular trail from Ardent Hot Springs which is quite hot, humid, rocky, the Crater Trail offers a more forested – and thus more refreshing – trek up the mountain, and at the same time getting the single attraction of the other trail, which is the summit. As mentioned in the original Hibok-Hibok article, the summit views are magnificent, for it encompasses Camiguin with White Island very striking against the waters; Mt. Timpoong looms – and even Bohol and the geographic shape of Northern Mindanao can be visualized.

Furthermore, this trail makes more worthwhile the possibility of camping – that is, making this trek an overnight climb and setting up camp by the crater. This may appeal to backpackers who can tour Camiguin in the morning of day 1, climb in the afternoon; camp at night, and descend on Day 2 with lunchtime and the rest of the day still available for more touring in the beautiful island.

The recent complaints over the costliness and inconvenience of arranging a Hibok-Hibok climb via the conventional trail makes our discovery of this trail very timely. We now have something in Camiguin to look forward to: an even-more beautiful Hibok-Hibok with its reachable crater where one can even take a dip – and an undiscovered, lush forests with trails that truly deserve to be followed. H20: A highly recommended dayhike / overnight trip in Northern Mindanao.

PRACTICALITIESGetting there. In Camiguin transportation is by motorcycles which you can rent and jeepneys as well. Arrange to go to Brgy. Yumbing by these, or stay in the beach resorts in Yumbing on the night before so as to be able to leave early for the dayhike.

Guides and registration. There is a P200/person registration fee collected by the DENR, which you can arrange by yourself at the DENR office in Mambajao; the guide can also facilitate this. Our latest information suggests that the guides have set P1,200 as the fixed price for a dayhike. One guide is Jackie (+639158123686 Globe; +639104963820 Smart). She can guide you on a Hibok-Hibok Traverse or a regular Hibok-Hibok hike.

Hiking notes. Cellphone signal is present in some parts of the trail. There is a campsite at the crater and also a nearby water source.

MT. HIBOK-HIBOK TRAVERSE PICTURES

The trail is mostly forested and well-established.

At the banks of the crater lake, which can double as a campsitte

At the highest point of the trail with some of the peaks at the background

The crater lake as viewed from the summit

TRIVIA
The blogger climbed Mt. Hibok-Hibok via Yumbing as one of his birthday climbs in 2012 (see Hiking matters #264).

Hi Sir Gid and fellow mountaineers! May I ask for the contact numbers of Mang Ronald or Mang Gorgonio? We need a male guide for the traverse hike as most of us are girls who are hiking this June. Thanks so much!

From Benoni to Yumbing do not take the special trip — they charge 200! Labas ka lang ng gate you can find jeep that will take you to Mambajao (23 pesos if I remember correctly), then from Mambajao another jeep to Yumbing (11 pesos yata). Far cry from 200!

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Anonymous

6 years 10 months ago

From Benoni to Mambajao you could take the following:

1. Jeep2. Habal-habal3. Van4. Motorella

From Mambajao to Yumbing, I think you could take:

1. Motorella2. Habal-habal

If you will hire a ride like motorella/habal-habal, you could ask your driver if the route to Yumbing is shorter via Sagay.

I would prefer Habal-habal if I am alone, with minimal baggage, and with cash to spare. The wind while on the road overlooking the sea is just amazing.

Jeep rides are less than P30.00, van rides around P50-70, Rellas are around 200 (could seat more than 3), and habal is around 100-150. (/November 2010)